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2013 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts

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The 2013 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts was held on June 25, 2013, in order to fill the Massachusetts Class 2 United States Senate seat for the remainder of the term ending January 3, 2015.

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2013 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts

 2008
June 25, 2013
2014 
 
Nominee Ed Markey Gabriel E. Gomez
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 645,429 525,307
Percentage 54.80% 44.60%

Markey:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Gomez:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. senator before election

Mo Cowan[a]
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ed Markey
Democratic

Close

The vacancy that prompted the special election was created by the resignation of Senator John Kerry, in order to become U.S. Secretary of State.[1] On January 30, 2013, Governor Deval Patrick chose his former chief of staff, Mo Cowan, to serve as interim U.S. Senator. Cowan declined to participate in the election. A party primary election was held on April 30, to determinate the nominees of each party for the general election. The Massachusetts Democrats nominated U.S. Representative Ed Markey, while the Massachusetts Republicans nominated Gabriel E. Gomez, a businessman and former Navy SEAL.

The race drew remarks from the media, because of its potential similarity to the 2010 special election, when Republican state senator Scott Brown upset the Democratic nominee, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.[2][3][4][5] However, Gomez trailed Markey in every opinion poll taken, and Markey defeated him by 120,122 votes, despite low turnout.[6]

Background

The incumbent senator, John Kerry (Democratic), was nominated to serve as U.S. Secretary of State by President Barack Obama on December 21, 2012.[7][8] He was confirmed by the Senate on January 29, 2013,[9][10] and in a letter to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Kerry announced his resignation from the Senate, effective February 1.[11] Kerry was sworn in as secretary of state on the same day.[12]

Patrick's former chief of staff, Mo Cowan, was appointed to replace Kerry in the Senate on the same day, and immediately ruled himself out of the special election.[13] The special primary elections took place on April 30. Democratic U.S. Representative Ed Markey and Republican businessman Gabriel E. Gomez won their respective primaries.

Democratic primary

U.S. Representatives Ed Markey and Stephen F. Lynch both announced campaigns for the open seat. Markey was perceived as more left-wing than Lynch.[14]

Candidates

Declined

Debates

Endorsements

Stephen F. Lynch

Politicians

  • Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, state representative from the 10th Hampden District[34]
  • Frank A. Moran, state representative from the 17th Essex District,[35]
  • Michael Finn, state representative from the 6th Hampden District[36]
  • John Sweeney, West Springfield city councilor[36]
  • George Kelley, West Springfield city councilor[36]
  • John Merrigan, Franklin County register of probate[37]
  • Johnathan Blodgett, district attorney of Essex County[38]
  • Susan Kay, mayor of Weymouth[39]
  • Joe Connolly, treasurer of Norfolk County[39]
  • Arthur Matthews, Weymouth town councilor[39]
  • T.J. Lacey, Weymouth town councilor[39]
  • Jane Hackett, Weymouth town councilor[39]
  • Frank Burke, Weymouth town councilor[39]
  • Greg Shanahan, former Weymouth town councilor[39]
  • Linda M. Pereira, Fall River City Council president

Labor unions

Ed Markey

Politicians U.S. presidents and vice presidents

U.S. cabinet members

U.S. senators

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives

Governors

Other state constitutional officers

State legislators

County officials

  • Tom Bowler, sheriff of Berkshire County[52]
  • Dave Sullivan, district attorney of Northwestern County[52]

Mayors

City councilors

Celebrities and prominent individuals

Newspapers and publications

Labor unions

Business people

Organizations

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Stephen
Lynch
Ed
Markey
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling[80] January 29–30, 2013 763 ±4.9% 19% 52% 29%
Public Policy Polling[81] February 13–14, 2013 426 LV ±4.8% 28% 43% 29%
WBUR/MassINC[82] March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 24% 35% 0% 41%
Public Policy Polling[83] March 26–27, 2013 496 LV ±4.4% 32% 49% 0% 19%
WNEU[84] April 11–18, 2013 270 LV ±6% 34% 44% 0% 21%
Close
Hypothetical polling
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mike
Capuano
Martha
Coakley
Vicki
Kennedy
Stephen
Lynch
Ed
Markey
Marty
Meehan
Deval
Patrick
Other Undecided
Emerson College[85] December 16–18, 2012 1,053 RV ±2.9% 13% 11% 16% 20% 10% 30%
WBUR/MassINC[86] December 17–18, 2012 500 RV ±3.3% 8% 21% 5% 5% 3% 36% 3% 19%
Close

Results

Results by Municipality:
  Markey
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%
  Lynch
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
      Tie
Results by precinct:
  Markey
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%
  Lynch
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%
  Tie
  No data/No votes
More information Party, Candidate ...
2013 Democratic Senate primary[87]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ed Markey 311,219 57.35%
Democratic Stephen F. Lynch 230,335 42.44%
Democratic All others 1,150 0.21%
Total votes 542,704 100%
Close

Republican primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

Declined

Debates

Endorsements

Gabriel E. Gomez

Politicians

Michael J. Sullivan

Politicians

Daniel Winslow

Social and political activists

  • Barbara Anderson, veteran anti-tax activist[107]

Newspapers

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Gabriel
Gomez
Michael
Sullivan
Daniel
Winslow
Other Undecided
WBUR/MassINC[82] March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 8% 28% 10% 3% 50%
WNEU[84] April 11–18, 2013 128 LV ±9% 33% 27% 9% 30%
Close
Hypothetical polling
More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Charlie
Baker
Scott
Brown
Bill
Weld
Other Undecided
Emerson College[85] December 16–18, 2012 1,053 RV ±2.9% 80% 7% 5% 7%
WBUR/MassINC[86] December 17–18, 2012 500 RV ±3.3% 5% 81% 6% 1% 7%
Close

Results

Primary results by municipality
More information Party, Candidate ...
2013 Republican Senate primary[111]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gabriel E. Gomez 96,057 50.75%
Republican Michael J. Sullivan 67,946 35.89%
Republican Daniel Winslow 24,662 13.03%
Republican All others 628 0.33%
Total votes 189,293 100%
Close

General election

Candidates

Withdrawn

Debates

Fundraising

More information Candidate (party), Receipts ...
Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt
Ed Markey (D) $7,866,591 $8,652,479 $2,264,701 $0
Gabriel Gomez (R) $3,304,338 $2,307,217 $997,120 $900,100
Source: Federal Election Commission[115][116]
Close

Top contributors

More information Ed Markey, Contribution ...
Ed Markey Contribution Gabriel Gomez Contribution
League of Conservation Voters $147,518 Advent International $38,850
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo $35,950 Berkshire Partners $36,300
Dish Network $32,000 Summit Partners $28,900
Bain Capital $26,000 Bain Capital $11,400
Harvard University $24,400 Easterly Capital $10,400
DLA Piper $24,400 William Blair & Company $10,300
Comcast Corporation $23,350 HarbourVest Partners $7,800
WilmerHale $23,000 Power Financial Corporation $6,200
Berkshire Group $20,700 BMO Capital Markets $5,200
American Cable Association $20,500 Carlyle Group $5,200
Source: OpenSecrets[117]
Close

Top industries

More information Ed Markey, Contribution ...
Ed Markey Contribution Gabriel Gomez Contribution
Lawyers/Law Firms $528,470 Financial Institutions $211,800
Financial Institutions $228,050 Retired $37,250
Entertainment Industry $179,400 Misc Finance $16,105
Environmental Organizations $171,568 Lawyers/Law Firms $13,250
Real Estate $134,900 Business Services $13,050
Lobbyists $134,900 Commercial Banks $7,750
Retired $107,101 Manufacturing & Distributing $6,200
Business Services $101,200 High-Tech Industry $6,000
High-Tech Industry $65,450 Retail Industry $5,600
Universities $65,150 Misc Business $5,100
Source: OpenSecrets[118]
Close

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Ed
Markey (D)
Gabriel E.
Gomez (R)
Other Undecided
UMass Lowell-Boston Herald[119] March 2–5, 2013 309 RV ±4% 47% 28% 7% 19%
WBUR/MassINC[82] March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 44% 25% 3% 26%
WNEU[84] April 11–18, 2013 480 LV ±4.5% 51% 36% 12%
Emerson College[120] May 1, 2013 797 RV ±2.5% 42% 36% 16%
Public Policy Polling[121] May 1–2, 2013 1,539 LV ±2.5% 44% 40% 16%
WBUR/MassINC[122] May 5–6, 2013 497 LV ±4.4% 41% 35% 0% 23%
Suffolk[123] May 4–7, 2013 500 LV ±4.4% 52% 35% 13%
Public Policy Polling[124] May 13–15, 2013 880 LV ±3.3% 48% 41% 11%
Emerson College[125] May 20–22, 2013 867 LV ±3.26% 45% 33% 22%
New England College[126] June 1–2, 2013 734 RV ±3.62% 52% 40% 8%
UMass Amherst-YouGov America[127] May 30 – June 4, 2013 357 RV ±5.4% 51% 40% 9%
Public Policy Polling[128] June 3–4, 2013 560 LV ±5.4% 47% 39% 14%
WBUR[129] June 6–9, 2013 500 LV ±3.4% 43% 36% 17%
Suffolk University[130] June 6–9, 2013 500 LV ±3.4% 44% 36% 10%
Harper Polling[131] June 10–11, 2013 498 RV ±4.39% 49% 37% 14%
Boston Globe[132] June 11–14, 2013 508 LV ±4.3% 54% 41% 4%
UMass Lowell-Boston Herald[133] June 15–19, 2013 608 RV ±4% 56% 36% 7%
WNEU[134] June 16–20, 2013 566 LV ±4.1% 49% 41% 9%
Emerson College[135] June 19–20, 2013 1,422 RV ±2.5% 51% 41% 8%
Suffolk University[136] June 19–22, 2013 500 LV ±4.4% 52% 42% 1% 5%
Close
Hypothetical polling

With Markey

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Ed
Markey (D)
Michael
Sullivan (R)
Daniel
Winslow (R)
Other Undecided
UMass Lowell-Boston Herald[119] March 2–5, 2013 309 RV ±4% 48% 30% 5% 17%
49% 26% 5% 20%
WBUR/MassINC[82] March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 44% 27% 2% 25%
44% 22% 3% 29%
WNEU[84] April 11–18, 2013 480 LV ±4.5% 52% 34% 15%
51% 32% 16%
Close

With Lynch

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Stephen
Lynch (D)
Gabriel E.
Gomez (R)
Michael
Sullivan (R)
Daniel
Winslow (R)
Other Undecided
UMass Lowell-Boston Herald[119] March 2–5, 2013 309 RV ±4% 45% 27% 6% 22%
45% 28% 7% 21%
48% 24% 8% 19%
WBUR/MassINC[82] March 19–21, 2013 610 LV ±4.1% 55% 17% 1% 26%
49% 21% 1% 28%
52% 15% 1% 31%
WNEU[84] April 11–18, 2013 480 LV ±4.5% 58% 26% 14%
57% 25% 17%
59% 23% 16%
Close

With Brown

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of error Mike
Capuano (D)
Martha
Coakley (D)
Vicki
Kennedy (D)
Stephen
Lynch (D)
Ed
Markey (D)
Marty
Meehan (D)
Deval
Patrick (D)
Generic
Democrat
Scott
Brown (R)
Other Undecided
Emerson College[85] December 16–18, 2012 1,053 RV ±2.9% 40% 46% 14%
48% 43% 9%
WBUR/MassINC[86] December 17–18, 2012 500 RV ±3.3% 28% 47% 4% 16%
36% 51% 3% 8%
24% 51% 4% 15%
30% 48% 4% 15%
30% 49% 4% 14%
40% 47% 3% 7%
39% 47% 15%
David Paleologos Suffolk/NAGE[137] ? ? ±? 33% 42% 25%
39% 49% 12%
[WBUR/MassINC]
[citation needed]
January 16–19, 2013 435 RV ±3.6% 31% 53% 1% 17%
36% 44% 3% 12%
Public Policy Polling[80] January 29–30, 2013 763 RV ±3.6% 39% 48% 12%
45% 48% 8%
Close

With Weld

More information Poll source, Date(s)administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Vicki
Kennedy (D)
Deval
Patrick (D)
Bill
Weld (R)
Other Undecided
Emerson College[85] December 16–18, 2012 1,053 RV ±2.9% 40% 37% 23%
50% 32% 18%
Close

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
2013 U.S. Senate special election in Massachusetts[138]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ed Markey 645,429 54.80% Decrease11.06
Republican Gabriel Gomez 525,307 44.60% Increase13.67
Twelve Visions Richard Heos 4,550 0.39% N/A
Write-in 2,504 0.21% N/A
Total votes 1,177,790 100.00% N/A
Democratic hold
Close

By county

More information By county, County ...
Close

By congressional district

Markey won six of nine congressional districts, with the remaining three going to Gomez, all of which elected Democrats.[140]

More information District, Markey ...
District Markey Gomez Representative
1st 53% 47% Richard Neal
2nd 51% 49% Jim McGovern
3rd 49% 51% Niki Tsongas
4th 55% 45% Joe Kennedy III
5th 65% 35% Ed Markey
6th 49% 51% John F. Tierney
7th 81% 19% Mike Capuano
8th 51% 49% Stephen Lynch
9th 46% 53% Bill Keating
Close

Notes

  1. In February 2013, Cowan was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator John Kerry, who had become U.S. Secretary of State.

References

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